Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 151

#150. Seoul Rivalry

The Seoul rivalry between the Warriors and the Magicians is legendary. While the Fighters are another team based in Seoul, they don’t have nearly the same fan base or recognition and aren’t really considered part of that rivalry.

The KBO League [Korean Baseball Organization] has been around for 46 years, and one of the main reasons the rivalry between the Warriors and the Magicians has endured is that they share a home stadium.

As of 2027, they are the only two professional baseball teams in the world that share a home stadium.

Both teams’ offices, locker rooms, and training facilities are located within the same baseball stadium.

The two teams, constantly competing for rankings throughout the year, are always running into each other in the same space.

It would be stranger if a rivalry *didn’t* develop under these conditions.

The Magicians dominated the Warriors in performance and popularity until the early 1990s. However, they went through a long, dark period from the 2000s to the 2010s before finally regaining their status as a strong team in the 2020s.

During that long slump, many baseball fans born in Seoul chose the Warriors over the Magicians.

The Magicians’ fans, feeling humiliated by the Warriors’ success, were furious, and that anger eventually fueled aggressive investment in their team.

While the Warriors were selling off players and making questionable decisions, the Magicians were desperately buying talent and developing new players.

As a result, the Magicians succeeded in returning to their former glory.

They climbed up the ranks step by step, and last season they finally finished as runners-up.

However, recently, the Magicians’ fans have started to feel a familiar dread as they watch the Warriors’ moves, recalling the nightmares of the past.

The fear of falling behind their Jamsil [stadium district in Seoul] rivals once again.

The team standings, which were close in the first half of the season, had widened to the point where comparing the game difference was pointless.

While the Magicians were battling the Daejeon Falcons for 4th and 5th place, the Warriors were closely chasing Incheon, competing for 1st place.

The number of fans, which had begun to increase again in the 2020s, was also showing signs of declining once more.

All of this was happening because of one player.

A monster who crushed the American team in the WBC [World Baseball Classic] and brought home the championship trophy.

A super rookie who has hit 51 home runs with 19 games remaining, raising expectations of breaking the single-season home run record.

A player who turned Min Yerin, a world-famous celebrity, into a baseball fanatic, and who brings hordes of female fans with large cameras to the stadium every time he plays.

With a height of 192cm [approx. 6’4″], overwhelming physical presence, and a handsome face with striking features.

Han Su-hyeok, a player who has everything from skill to looks.

That Han Su-hyeok was currently in the Jamsil Baseball Stadium cafeteria, eating a sandwich and talking to someone.

“Su-hyeok, how is it? Our sandwich is better, right?”

“Mumbling, um, Senior Seong-su. Definitely. What did you put in this?”

“Smoked salmon and grilled chicken breast instead of ham.”

“Hmm…….”

“Our front office is quite interested in food, haha.”

“I see…….”

After finishing the first 3-game series against Incheon after the manager change, we were about to face our rival Magicians in a 4-game series, including a double-header, at Jamsil.

The Warriors and the Magicians, who share the same home stadium, jointly entrust the management of all facilities in the stadium to professional companies.

The cafeteria is no exception. At one point, they tried operating it separately, but they concluded that this arrangement was more efficient.

However, even though the same chef prepares the food, each team requests food tailored to the players’ tastes, and the sandwich I’m eating now is definitely better than what the Warriors players eat.

*I should tell Seong-hun about this soon,* I thought, as I stuffed the remaining sandwich into my mouth.

“Seeing Jun-yeong with his head shaved, I feel a little sorry for him.”

“He definitely doesn’t have a pretty head shape.”

“What? Haha, yeah. That’s right too. Yong-tae even has hair loss, ugh…….”

After finishing all the pre-game training, I’m meeting with Kim Seong-su of the Magicians for a light meal and a chat.

There’s nothing special going on.

He wanted to improve the relationship between the two teams, which had deteriorated due to long-standing rivalry, bench-clearing incidents, and trades. I agreed that there was no need for unnecessary drama.

Since then, the two teams have been engaging in a kind of friendship activity, where they visit each other’s spaces before the game to talk and share snacks. It’s obvious what the intention is – public relations – but the effect is definitely there.

“But why do you keep calling me? Shouldn’t Senior Seong-oh or Senior Man-sik come…….”

“What am I going to do with them? Ugh, I’m tired of those old guys who only talk about lecturing the kids. Instead, the players who will be seeing each other for a long time should get to know each other. Ah, Seon-woo, you came at the right time. Come and sit down here too.”

“Oh, Su-hyeok is here? How have you been?”

“Yes, Senior.”

“Hey, let’s take it easy today. The Daejeon guys are right behind us; we’re really going crazy. If we don’t make it to the playoffs, the fans might kill us.”

Yang Seon-woo, who was entering the cafeteria, smiled at me and plopped down next to me.

I played with this person in the WBC and got to know him reasonably well.

That wasn’t all. A huge white man put a yogurt drink in front of me and grinned.

“Hey, friend. Try this. It’s pretty good for a commercially available yogurt.”

“Um? Oh, okay. Thanks.”

“Hehe, you really taught that Ryan guy a lesson last time. It felt so good watching that. From now on, you’re my friend. Is that okay?”

“Well, that wouldn’t be bad.”

“Good, if you ever come to Itaewon [a district in Seoul known for its international atmosphere], give me a call. I’ll take you to an amazing place.”

Thomas Campbell, a foreign player who forms the core of the Magicians’ batting lineup, grinned and left the cafeteria.

“But why is he so excited that Ryan got blown up?”

“Ah, that guy believes he was kicked out of the major leagues because Ryan Tibode struck him out 4 times in his last game. Well, I think the problem is his defense, not his hitting.”

Kim Seong-su chuckled as if it wasn’t a big deal and continued talking with Yang Seon-woo, who was sitting next to him.

“By the way, I’m a little worried about the Incheon guys. Especially Jun-yeong, he’s a FA [free agent] after this year. I’m worried he might get overworked and hurt his shoulder.”

“Overworked? Like making him pitch in the playoffs every 3 days? Hey, even if it’s Hwang Byeong-ho, it’s 2027 now; he can’t do that anymore.”

“Seon-woo, you’re still lacking experience. Look at Jun-yeong’s punishment pitching last time. He’s the kind of person who would do that.”

“I heard that was because of insubordination. They couldn’t send Lim Jun-yeong to the minors, so they just gave him a warning…….”

“Whatever it is, let’s be careful when we play against Incheon in the future. Those who know how much I suffered from Hwang Byeong-ho’s baseball when I was a rookie know. He’s someone who will do anything to win. So, everyone, take care of your bodies.”

Kim Seong-su, who was sick of Hwang Byeong-ho’s baseball when he was a rookie, shuddered and said.

*Yeah, that might be true.*

The fact that the first-place team replaced their manager just before the end of the season is the owner’s message to keep that first place no matter what and to bring home the Korean Series trophy.

It’s obvious what kind of baseball Manager Hwang Byeong-ho will play after receiving that message.

Coincidentally, we will play a 3-game series against Incheon as our last series of the season.

If neither team has a clear advantage by then…….

Perhaps a war might break out.

“Hello.”

“…….”

As I was about to leave the cafeteria after finishing the conversation, Jeong Gi-ho from our team came in, so I bowed my head out of courtesy.

But there was no response.

*Well, let’s ignore that kind of insignificant guy for now.*

* * *

In the first two games of the double-header, the Warriors and the Magicians each won one game.

And I hit my 52nd home run of the season in the second game.

It was the 5th highest record in KBO history.

“Kyaaaa! Get out of the way! Everyone get out of the way!”

“Ms. Min Yerin, even if you are Ms. Min Yerin, we can’t give up that… Oh! Two bug nets? Isn’t that cheating?”

Min Yerin, who now has her trademark – I don’t know where they make those things, but according to her, she has two specially made bug nets to catch home run balls – was running around the outfield, jumping up and down.

Um… double bug nets, so to speak, is that like a two-sword style?

Of course, having two bug nets doesn’t double the chance of catching a home run ball.

Min Yerin, who had failed to catch a home run ball for the past week, said to me with an almost tearful expression.

“Hing… Oppa [term of endearment for an older brother or male friend], can’t you hit a home run towards me?”

“What?”

Even for me, there’s no way that’s possible.

*I’d rather just get her a home run ball separately…….*

Um.

In the third game held the next day, Kang Dong-ha once again started as an emergency starter and brought victory to the team.

7 innings, 5 runs.

It can’t be said to be a good record, but he still played his part sufficiently in a situation where the team’s strength was faltering.

With the season nearing its end, there are one or two players who are out due to injury and fatigue.

Ryan, who had kept the starting rotation throughout the season, complained of discomfort in his elbow and skipped his start, and Choi Jeong-su and Hong Young-sik, who had steadily eaten innings while recording ERAs [earned run average] in the 4 and 5 range, were sent down to the minors due to injuries.

The situation was not very good on the hitter side either.

Ahn Chi-wook, who is playing a full season for the first time, has run out of stamina, Choi Jin-cheol is taking turns playing third base, and Seo Hyeong-ju has also been out of the game for about 3 days to rest.

The rate at which Senior Jo Seong-oh is replaced by Yong Ji-hoon in the second half of the game is increasing, and Yoo In-cheol is playing as the starting second baseman as Senior Lee Chang-mo suffered a side injury.

The only good thing is that 5 additional players were called up to the first team with the implementation of the September expanded roster. And Senior Lee Man-sik will be back next week.

Anyway, all the players threw themselves into the miracle of winning the regular season, but we were still in second place, following Incheon.

This is because Incheon, where the Hwang Byeong-ho system has begun in earnest, swept the 3-game series against Changwon, widening the gap between us again.

Now I know for sure.

Leading the Korean national team and winning the WBC is much harder than leading the Warriors to win the regular season.

The strength of the individual players isn’t the problem.

In a long race, the strength of the entire team is bound to be revealed more clearly, so the thin depth of our team compared to Incheon is fully reflected.

Nevertheless, I am enjoying this moment so much.

How much I wanted this in my previous life.

Wearing a Warriors uniform, challenging the dream of winning with precious people,

This situation is so precious to me.

“Su-hyeok, I’m counting on you again today.”

“Yes, Manager.”

The last game of the 4-game series against the Magicians.

I have finished preparing to take the mound once again for the team’s victory.